A Single Survivor
By Beth
November 27, 2005
I wonder what people think of me.
I worry that not all is well in my life.
Will all the bills get paid?
Will the car start today?
With a meager income I decide who will wait.
I struggle to buy clothes for my children, and forget about a date.
I choose this life as I study round the clock in this way.
My household chores suffer, my kids want to play.
Friends and family are pushed to the side
While I finish my homework that never seems to die.
People ridicule me for having no job with clout.
My loved ones say the kids should help out.
The kids are fighting over a movie or toy.
Who started it this time,. Oh Boy!
The stress piles on as the housework and schoolwork collide.
I give up on thing and try to finish another. I wish there was somewhere I could hide!
It is past a normal person’s bedtime but my night is not over.
Do I do the dishes or give homework a quick once over?
I struggle to finish just one more thing before I turn out the lights
And hope I find sleep sometime during the night.
The sun is not awake but the alarm calls my name.
Make the bed and the coffee, great it begins to rain.
The kids won’t get up, times ticking away.
I had three hours sleep and now it’s another day.
I get two kids on the bus just in time, the youngest is at daycare
Now the car makes a whine and what happened to my hair!?.
The traffic is stopped, now what could it be?
Of course it’s construction holding up me.
Class starts in five minutes, I’m still fifteen away.
I want go home and try again another day.
My gas gauge says empty and I’m still stuck in this line.
I guess I’ll get gas with the five bucks for lunch just time.
I see some animal crackers the kids left behind
That will hold me over till dinner time.
The day has just started and I’m late again.
The teacher and students will look up and not grin.
I’ll be embarrassed like I am each time I see the stare
But I’ll hold my head up, only I know the despair.
The day passes by and its time to go.
The teacher keeps us late, by now I’m moving slow.
Pick up at daycare and I rush right home.
I pull in my parking lot and the kids start to groan.
They get in the car, we need milk and bread.
Something for dinner and something for my head.
They complain and they fuss they want to play outdoors.
They drag their feet and keep moving slow. I’ve been through this before!
Rush home again, time is flying right by
Dinner and dishes are way behind and the kids start to cry.
Three kids need a bath, I need a nap but I show them a grin.
I tuck them all in. now its homework again.
As the day comes to an end, I thank god for my gifts.
I wish I had read one more story for the kids.
But the time doesn’t permit.
Now don’t get me wrong, I must admit
I love this life that I lead.
I make my own choices and I will succeed!
There will be bumps in the road and mouths to feed.
But it is all worth it because I am free!
This is how my Life is when in classes.
I hope this poem will give courage to someone who needs a boost. It sounds kind of chaotic but it is real life for a single parent going to college or even working... the work is never done and INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM is our consolation prize. Hard work and the ability to take life as it comes makes all the difference in the world.
Positive attitude is sometimes hard to keep but is essential to overcome life's obstacles...Laugh at the silly stuff, cry when you need to, and smile everyday!
Have a Great Day Everyone!
